Method and system for remote control between mobile devices

ABSTRACT

A remote control method between mobile devices and a system thereof are provided. The system includes a server including a control command list for controlling a help-requesting device. The server authenticates a remote control authorization of a control device and relays a data packet communication between the help-requesting device and the control device. The help-requesting device transmits a help request message to the control device through the server. The control device acquires the authorization to remotely control the help-requesting device from the server and then transmits a control command for controlling the help-requesting device to the help-requesting device through the server. The help-requesting device executes the received control command and then transmits execution result data to the control device through the server. The control device outputs the execution result data received from the help-requesting device.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed on Feb. 14, 2011 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2011-0012615, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to remote control technology for mobiledevices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a remotecontrol method and system in which a control device receiving an urgentrequest for help remotely controls a help-requesting device through aserver and acquires information on surroundings of the help-requestingdevice.

2. Description of the Related Art

With modern scientific technologies being advanced dramatically, variousmobile devices such as a cellular phone, a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA) and a smart phone have become increasingly popularized. Recentmobile devices are provided with various optionally useful functions andapplications as well as their inherent and essential functions. One ofadditive functions is an SOS service for users who are in danger, had anaccident or involved in any other type of emergency.

When any emergency situation occurs, a user who carries a mobile deviceavailable for a SOS service of the related art may try to transmit anurgent request for help or to output an alert sound by pressing a hotkey or any other prescribed keys. The transmitted urgent request or theoutput alert sound is merely a method for asking for other people's helpor gives a warning of a dangerous person. However, the SOS service ofthe related art may not provide any information about the user'semergency situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide a remote control method and system in which acontrol device receiving an urgent request for help that remotelycontrols a help-requesting device through a server and acquiresinformation on surroundings of the help-requesting device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for a remotecontrol between mobile devices is provided. The method includes, at ahelp-requesting device, transmitting a help request message to a controldevice through a server, at the control device, acquiring anauthorization to remotely control the help-requesting device from theserver, at the control device, transmitting a control command forcontrolling the help-requesting device to the help-requesting devicethrough the server, and at the help-requesting device, executing thecontrol command and then transmitting execution result data to thecontrol device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for aremote control between mobile devices is provided. The system includes aserver including a control command list for controlling ahelp-requesting device, and for authorizing a remote control authorityof a control device and for relaying a data packet communication betweenthe help-requesting device and the control device, the help-requestingdevice for transmitting a help request message to the control devicethrough the server, for executing a control command received from thecontrol device through the server, and for transmitting execution resultdata to the control device through the server, and the control devicefor acquiring the authorization to remotely control the help-requestingdevice from the server, for transmitting the control command forcontrolling the help-requesting device to the help-requesting devicethrough the server, and for outputting the execution result datareceived from the help-requesting device.

In various aspects of the present invention, the control devicereceiving a help request from the help-requesting device can remotelycontrol the help-requesting device and then obtain information aboutsurroundings of the help-requesting device. Therefore, in comparisonwith SOS services of the related art, the SOS service according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention may be more useful inhelping or rescuing a user who is in danger, had an accident or involvedin any other type of emergency.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of an SOSservice system according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an SOS service procedure accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation process of a serverfor an SOS service according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation process of a controldevice for an SOS service according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation process of ahelp-requesting device for an SOS service according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server foran SOS service according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of ahelp-requesting device for an SOS service according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controldevice for an SOS service according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that variouschanges and modifications of the embodiments described herein can bemade without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Inaddition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may beomitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

FIGS. 1 through 8, discussed below, and the various exemplaryembodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure inthis patent document are by way of illustration only and should not beconstrued in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that the principles of the presentdisclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communicationssystem. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. Itshould be understood that these are provided to merely aid theunderstanding of the description, and that their use and definitions inno way limit the scope of the invention. Terms first, second, and thelike are used to differentiate between objects having the sameterminology and are in no way intended to represent a chronologicalorder, unless where explicitly stated otherwise. A set is defined as anon-empty set including at least one element.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of an SOSservice system according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the SOS service system includes a help-requestingdevice 110, a server 120, and a control device 130.

The help-requesting device 110 is a device that transmits an urgentrequest for help to the control device 130, registered in advance, incase of an emergency. The help-requesting device 110 may register inadvance a list of available control devices with the server 120. Theseregistered control devices can control the help-requesting device 110 inan emergency. The help-requesting device 110 receives a control commandfrom the control device 130 and then performs a particular function ofthe help-requesting device 110 in response to the received controlcommand. Also, the help-requesting device 110 transmits data, created asthe result of command execution, to the control device 130 through theserver 120.

The server 120 relays a data packet communication between thehelp-requesting device 110 and the control device 130. In an exemplaryimplementation, the server 120 may use a Packet Switched Data Network(PSDN). The server 120 has a list of control devices that are capable ofcontrolling the help-requesting device 110 in an emergency.Additionally, the server 120 has a list of standardized control commandsto control the help-requesting device 110. By using the list of thestandardized control commands, a remote control may be allowed betweendifferent kinds of devices such as a mobile phone and a notebook.

The control device 130 controls the help-requesting device 110 at adistance when the help-requesting device 110 is in emergency situations.The main purpose for which the control device 130 remotely controls thehelp-requesting device 110 is to acquire information on surroundings ofthe help-requesting device 110. According to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the control device 130 may record audio and/orvideo or capture an image of surroundings of the help-requesting device110 through a recorder or a camera included in the help-requestingdevice 110 or acquire location information about the help-requestingdevice 110.

A remote control method according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention will be described below based on the above describedSOS service system.

When any emergency situation occurs, the help-requesting device 110transmits an urgent request for help to the server 120. The server 120delivers a received request for help to the control device 130. Next,the control device 130 transmits a control command for controllingoperations of the help-requesting device 110 to the server 120. Theserver 120 delivers a received control command to the help-requestingdevice 110.

In response to a control command received from the server 120, thehelp-requesting device 110 performs a particular function. In anexemplary implementation, a particular function may be at least one of arecorder driving function, a camera driving function, and a locationinformation acquisition function. Also, the help-requesting device 110transmits data, created as the result of a command execution, to theserver 120. The server 120 delivers received result data to the controldevice 130.

The control device 130 may acquire information on surroundings of thehelp-requesting device 110 by verifying result data received from theserver 120. For example, if result data contains the sound of a train,this denotes that the help-requesting device 110 may be located near arailroad or train station. Also, image information in record data mayfurther provide detailed information on surroundings of thehelp-requesting device 110.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an SOS service procedure accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, at the outset, the help-requesting device 110, theserver 120 and the control device 130 perform an authentication processsuch that a list of the control devices 130 to remotely control thehelp-requesting device 110 in an emergency is registered in step S205.Registration of a control device list will be described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 3.

When any emergency situation occurs, the help-requesting device 110transmits a help request message to the server 120 in step S210. Thehelp-requesting device 110 may select an SOS service menu or use apreset hot key to perform transmission of the help request message. Inmost cases, the preset hot key for performing transmission of the helprequest message may be used.

Although an SOS service begins with transmission of the help requestmessage by the help-requesting device 110 in FIG. 2, the SOS service isnot always initiated by the help-requesting device 110. If thehelp-requesting device 110 is in an extreme emergency situation, it isnecessary for the control device 130 to initiate the SOS service.Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the control device 130 attempts to make a call with thehelp-requesting device 110 and, if failing to receive a response severaltimes more than preset response times, initiates the SOS service tocontrol the help-requesting device 110 at a distance. It is assumedherein that the help-requesting device 110 initiates the SOS service.

The server 120 receives the help request message from thehelp-requesting device 110 and then transmits it to the control device130. The control device 130 transmits a help authority request messageto the server 120 to acquire an authorization to remotely control thehelp-requesting device 110 in step S215.

The server 120 verifies a list of control devices registered in advanceand then determines whether the device transmitting the help authorityrequest message is an authorized device in step S220. If the controldevice list contains the device transmitting the help authority requestmessage, the server 120 transmits a help authority approval message tothe control device 130 in step S225.

The control device 130 can control the help-requesting device 110 at adistance. For this, the control device 130 transmits a control commandto the server 120 in step S230. The control command is a standardizedcommand for a remote control and may be transmitted through a ShortMessage Service (SMS). Table 1 exemplarily shows standardized controlcommands. The server 120 may have in advance a list of control commandsas shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Command Device Operation AAAAA Drive Recorder BBBBB Drive CameraCCCCC Acquire Location Information . . . . . .

For example, if the help-requesting device 110 attempts to drive acamera, the control device 130 transmits an SMS message “BBBBB” to theserver 120. Then the server 120 analyzes a received SMS message and thentransmits a control command for driving a camera to the help-requestingdevice 110.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when thecontrol device 130 transmits an SMS message “BBBBB” to the server 120 todrive a camera of the help-requesting device 110, the server 120 mayforward the received SMS message “BBBBB” to the help-requesting device110. The help-requesting device 110 recognizes a camera driving commandby analyzing the received SMS message “BBBBB” and then drives its owncamera. In this case, the help-requesting device 110 also has a list ofcontrol commands as shown in Table 1.

The help-requesting device 110 performs a particular function inresponse to a control command that the control device 130 provides instep S235. The particular function may be at least one of a recorderdriving function, a camera driving function, and a location informationacquisition function. Also, the help-requesting device 110 transmitsdata created as the result of control command execution to the controldevice 130 through the server 120 in step S240.

The control device 130 may acquire information on surroundings of thehelp-requesting device 110 through result data of control commandexecution such as recorded sound data, recorded video data, capturedimage data, or location information.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation process of a serverfor an SOS service according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 3, at the outset, the server 120 determines whether toperform an authentication process in step S305. The server 120 proceedsto step S310 to perform the authentication process or to step S340 toperform a help request process.

In a case of performing the authentication process, the server 120receives a control device list from the help-requesting device 110 instep S310. The control device list is a list that indicates controldevices that are capable of remotely controlling the help-requestingdevice 110 in an emergency. The control device list may be created by auser of the help-requesting device 110 and may contain, for example,parents', friends', or acquaintances' devices.

The server 120 transmits a registration request message to each devicecontained in the control device list to determine whether to registersuch devices as control devices for the help-requesting device 110 instep S315. The server 120 determines whether an approval message isreceived from each device in the control device list in step S320. Ifthe approval message is received, the server 120 registers the devicetransmitting the approval message as an authenticated control device instep S335. However, if a denial message is received in step S325, theserver 120 excludes the device transmitting the denial message from thecontrol device list in step S330.

Through the above process, the server 120 appoints the control device.

Meanwhile, if the server 120 determines not to perform an authenticationprocess in step S305, the server 120 further determines whether toperform a help request process in step S340. If a help request messageis received from the help-requesting device 110, the server 120 may beaware of the help request process.

After awareness of the help request process, the server 120 transmitsthe help request message to each device registered in the control devicelist in step S345. The server 120 receives a help authority requestmessage from each device receiving the help request message in stepS350.

The server 120 determines whether the device transmitting the helpauthority request message is registered in the control device list instep S355. If it is determined that the device is a registered device inthe control device list, the server 120 regards the registered device asthe control device 130 and then transmits a help authority approvalmessage to the control device 130 in step S360.

The server 120 receives a control command from the control device 130and then interprets the received control command in step S365. Forinterpretation, the server 120 may compare the received control commandwith prescribed control commands. Then the server 120 transmits theinterpreted control command to the help-requesting device 110 in stepS370. Alternatively, as described above, the server 120 may transmit thecontrol command, as received, to the help-requesting device 110 and thenthe help-requesting device 110 may interpret the control command byitself.

The server 120 receives control results from the help-requesting device110 in step S375 and then transmits the received control results to thecontrol device 130 in step S380.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation process of a controldevice for an SOS service according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, at the outset, the control device 130 receives ahelp request message from the help-requesting device 110 through theserver 120 in step S405. The control device 130 transmits a helpauthority request message to the server 120 to acquire an authorizationto remotely control the help-requesting device 110 in step S410. Thecontrol device 130 determines whether a help authority approval messageis received in step S415 and waits to receive it in step S420.

When the help authority approval message is received, the control device130 selects a control command for remotely controlling thehelp-requesting device 110 in step S425.

If the control device selects a command for driving a recorder, thecontrol device 130 transmits the recorder driving command to thehelp-requesting device 110 through the server 120 in step S430. As shownin Table 1, the recorder driving command is one of standardized controlcommands and may be in the form of an SMS message containing “AAAAA”.Also, the control device 130 determines whether recorded sound data isreceived from the help-requesting device 110 in step S435. If it isdetermined that the recorded data is received, the control device 130outputs recorded sound data in step S440.

If the control device selects a command for driving a camera, thecontrol device 130 transmits the camera driving command to thehelp-requesting device 110 through the server 120 in step S445. As shownin Table 1, the camera driving command is one of standardized controlcommands and may be in the form of an SMS message containing “BBBBB”.Also, the control device 130 determines whether camera data is receivedfrom the help-requesting device 110 in step S450. If it is determinedthat the camera data is received, the control device 130 outputs cameradata in step S455.

If the control device selects a command for acquiring locationinformation, the control device 130 transmits the location informationacquisition command to the help-requesting device 110 through the server120 in step S460. As shown in Table 1, the location informationacquisition command is one of standardized control commands and may bein the form of an SMS message containing “CCCCC”. Also, the controldevice 130 determines whether location information is received from thehelp-requesting device 110 in step S465. If it is determined that thelocation information is received, the control device 130 outputslocation information in step S470.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation process of ahelp-requesting device for an SOS service according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, at the outset, the help-requesting device 110determines whether a help request signal is input in step S505. The helprequest signal may be input through a suitable SOS service menu or apreset hot key. If it is determined that the help request signal is notinput, the help-requesting device 110 further determines whether anincoming call is not received several times more than preset incomingcall times in step S510.

If it is determined that the help request signal is input or if theincoming call is not received the preset incoming call times, thehelp-requesting device 110 transmits the help request signal to theserver 120 in step S515. Also, the help-requesting device 110 receives acontrol command from the server 120 and then determines the type ofreceived control command in step S520.

If the received control command is a recorder driving command, thehelp-requesting device 110 drives a recorder in step S525. If a soundrecording is completed in step S530, the help-requesting device 110transmits recorded data to the server 120 in step S535.

If the received control command is a camera driving command, thehelp-requesting device 110 drives a camera in step S540 and also mayturn on a microphone in step S545. Then, if a video recording or imagecapturing is completed in step S550, the help-requesting device 110transmits recorded or captured data to the server 120 in step S555.

If the received control command is a location information acquisitioncommand, the help-requesting device 110 drives a location informationacquisition module in step S560. Then, if location information isacquired in step S565, the help-requesting device 110 transmits thelocation information to the server 120 in step S570.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server foran SOS service according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the server 120 may include a Radio Frequency (RF)unit 610, a memory unit 620, and a control unit 630.

For wireless communication of the server 120, the RF unit 610 performs afunction to transmit or receive data. The RF unit 610 may include an RFtransmitter (not illustrated) that up-converts the frequency of anoutgoing signal and then amplifies the signal, an RF receiver (notillustrated) that amplifies with low-noise an incoming signal anddown-converts the frequency of the signal, and the like. The RF unit 610may receive data through a wireless channel and then output it to thecontrol unit 630, or receive data from the control unit 630 and thentransmit it through a wireless channel. In an exemplary implementation,the RF unit 610 may receive a control command from the control device130 and then transmit it to the help-requesting device 110.Additionally, the RF unit 610 may receive result data of control commandexecution from the help-requesting device 110 and then transmit it tothe control device 130.

The memory unit 620 stores a variety of programs and data required foroperations of the server 120 and may be composed of a program region anda data region. The program region may store an Operating System (OS) andprograms for booting and operating the server 120. More particularly,the memory unit 620 of the server 120 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may store a control device list 621and a control command list 622. The control device list 621 indicatesthe control devices 130 that are capable of remotely controlling thehelp-requesting device 110 in emergency. The control command list 622indicates control commands allowing the control device 130 to remotelycontrol the help-requesting device 110 in emergency. The control commandlist is a standardized list that allows remote control between differentkinds of devices.

The control unit 630 controls the operations of the server 120. Moreparticularly, the control unit 630 authenticates the control devices 130for remotely controlling the help-requesting device 110, interprets acontrol command received from the control device 130, and provides theinterpreted control command to the help-requesting device 110. For theabove described authentication, the control unit 630 may include anauthentication administration unit 631 and a control commandadministration unit 632.

The authentication administration unit 631 receives a control devicelist from the help-requesting device 110. Then, in order to determinewhether to register the control device 130 for the help-requestingdevice 110, the authentication administration unit 631 controls thetransmission of a registration request message to each device in thecontrol device list. If an approval message is received, theauthentication administration unit 631 appoints the device transmittingthe approval message as the control device 130.

The control command administration unit 632 controls the transmissionand reception of a control command for controlling the help-requestingdevice 110 at a help request of the help-requesting device 110. Morespecifically, the control command administration unit 632 receives acontrol command (e.g., a recorder driving command, a camera drivingcommand, a location information acquisition command, and the like) fromthe control device 130, interprets the received control command, andprovides the interpreted control command to the help-requesting device110. In an exemplary implementation, the control command administrationunit 632 may forward the received control command, as it is, to thehelp-requesting device 110.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of ahelp-requesting device for an SOS service according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the help-requesting device 110 may include an RFunit 710, a location information acquisition module 720, a key inputunit 730, a display unit (not illustrated), a memory unit 750, a camera760, an audio processing unit 770, and a control unit 780.

For wireless communication of the help-requesting device 110, the RFunit 710 performs a function to transmit or receive data. The RF unit710 may include an RF transmitter (not illustrated) that up-converts thefrequency of an outgoing signal and then amplifies the signal, an RFreceiver (not illustrated) that amplifies with low-noise an incomingsignal and down-converts the frequency of the signal, and the like. TheRF unit 710 may receive data through a wireless channel and then outputit to the control unit 780, or receive data from the control unit 780and then transmit it through a wireless channel. In an exemplaryimplementation, the RF unit 710 may transmit a help request message tothe server 120 and receive a control command from the server 120.Additionally, the RF unit 710 may transmit data created as the result ofcommand execution to the server 120.

The location information acquisition module 720 obtains geographicallocation information (e.g., latitude and longitude data) on thehelp-requesting device 110. For example, the location informationacquisition module 720 may be a Global Positioning System (GPS) module,a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) module such as a Wireless InternetPlatform for Interoperability (WiPi), and the like. The locationinformation acquisition module 720 may obtain geographical locationinformation on the help-requesting device 110 in response to a locationinformation acquisition signal of the control unit 780.

The key input unit 730 receives a user's input action for performing afunction of the help-requesting device 110. For the above, the key inputunit 730 may be formed of a keypad, a touch screen, or any otherequivalent. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the keyinput unit 730 may separately have a hot key for directly initiating anSOS service.

The display unit 740 may be formed of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD),Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), an Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED),and the like. The display unit visually provides a menu, input data,function setting information and any other various information of thehelp-requesting device 110 to a user. Also, the display unit 740 outputsa booting screen, an idle screen, a menu screen, a call screen, and anyother various application screens of the help-requesting device 110.

The memory unit 750 stores a variety of programs and data required foroperations of the help-requesting device 110 and may be composed of aprogram region and a data region. Since the program region and the dataregion have been described above in connection with the server 120, adescription thereof will be omitted. In an exemplary implementation, thememory unit 750 may store a control command list such that thehelp-requesting device 110 may directly interpret a control commandreceived from the control device 130.

The camera 760 includes an image sensor that allows a captured image tobe digitalized. The image sensor may be formed of a Complementary MetalOxide Semiconductor (CMOS), a Charged Coupled Device (CCD), an N-typeMetal Oxide Semiconductor (NMOS), and the like. When receiving a cameradriving command, the camera 760 may buffer images captured through theimage sensor and store the buffered images as result data of controlcommand execution.

The audio processing unit 770 may include a microphone for collectingaudio signals and a speaker for outputting audio signals. In anexemplary implementation, when receiving a recorder driving command, theaudio processing unit 770 may record audio data by driving a microphoneand store recorded audio data as result of control command execution.

The control unit 780 controls the operations of the help-requestingdevice 110. More particularly, the control unit 780 creates a controldevice list to transmit it to the server 120 and also executes a controlcommand received from the control device 130. To execute the controlcommand, the control unit 780 may have a control command processing unit781.

The control command processing unit 781 receives a control command fromthe control device 130 through the server 120. Also, the control commandprocessing unit 781 drives selected blocks of the help-requesting device110 to perform a particular function in response to the received controlcommand. More specifically, when receiving a recorder driving command,the control command processing unit 781 records audio data by driving amicrophone of the audio processing unit 780. Also, when a camera drivingcommand is received, the control command processing unit 781 storesimage or video data by driving the camera 760. When a locationinformation acquisition command is received, the control commandprocessing unit 781 obtains the current location of the help-requestingdevice 110 by driving the location information acquisition module 720.

In addition, the control command processing unit 781 controls thetransmission of result data of control command execution to the controldevice 130 through the server 120.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controldevice for an SOS service according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the control device 130 mayinclude an RF unit 810, a key input unit 820, a display unit 830, and acontrol unit 840.

For wireless communication of the control device 130, the RF unit 810performs a function to transmit or receive data. The RF unit 810 mayinclude an RF transmitter (not illustrated) that up-converts thefrequency of an outgoing signal and then amplifies the signal, an RFreceiver (not illustrated) that amplifies with low-noise an incomingsignal and down-converts the frequency of the signal, and the like. TheRF unit 810 may receive data through a wireless channel and then outputit to the control unit 840, or receive data from the control unit 840and then transmit it through a wireless channel. In an exemplaryimplementation, the RF unit 810 may transmit a control command forremotely controlling the help-requesting device 110 to the server 120and receive result data of control command execution from thehelp-requesting device 110.

The key input unit 820 receives a user's input action for performing afunction of the control device 130. More particularly, the key inputunit 820 may receive a user' input action corresponding to a controlcommand.

The display unit 830 displays a state of the control device 130 anddisplays, in a visual manner, result data of control command executionreceived from the help-requesting device 110. The display unit 830 maydisplay image/video data or location information received from thehelp-requesting device 110.

The control unit 840 controls the operations of the control device 130.More particularly, the control unit 840 creates a control command forremotely controlling the help-requesting device 110 to transmit it tothe server 120. The control unit 840 also controls a series of processesof received result data of control command execution from thehelp-requesting device 110 and that informs a user about the resultdata. For the controlling of the operations, the control unit 840 mayhave a control command processing unit 841 and a result data processingunit 842.

The control command processing unit 841 receives a control command inputby a user and transmits it to the server 120. The control command isstandardized and is one of commands contained in the control commandlist. As described above, the control command may be provided in theform of an SMS message to the server 120.

The result data processing unit 842 receives result data of controlcommand execution from the help-requesting device 110 and then outputsit in a user's recognizable means. More specifically, if the result dataof control command execution is record data, the result data processingunit 842 outputs recorded sound data through a speaker. Also, if theresult data of control command execution is camera data, the result dataprocessing unit 842 outputs captured image data or recorded video datathrough the display unit 830. If the result data of control commandexecution is location information, the result data processing unit 842visually outputs the location information through the display unit 830.

As described above, the control device receiving a help request from thehelp-requesting device can remotely control the help-requesting deviceand then obtain information about surroundings of the help-requestingdevice. Therefore, the SOS service according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention may be more useful in helping or rescuing auser who is in danger, had an accident or involved in any other type ofemergency.

Although each of the server and devices described above includes thecontrol unit composed of at least one functional block for performing aparticular function, the present invention is not limited thereto.Therefore, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that theabove-described functions of the respective functional blocks may befavorably performed by the control unit itself.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A method for a remote control between mobile devices, the methodcomprising: at a help-requesting device, transmitting a help requestmessage to a control device through a server; at the control device,acquiring an authorization to remotely control the help-requestingdevice from the server; at the control device, transmitting a controlcommand for controlling the help-requesting device to thehelp-requesting device through the server; and at the help-requestingdevice, executing the control command and then transmitting executionresult data to the control device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecontrol command is included in a Short Message Service (SMS) message. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising: before the transmitting ofthe help request message, at the server, receiving a control device listfrom the help-requesting device; at the server, transmitting aregistration request message to each device included in the controldevice list; and at the server, registering a device transmitting anapproval message in response to the registration request message as thecontrol device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the control commandcomprises at least one of a recorder driving command, a camera drivingcommand, and a location information acquisition command.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein if the control command comprises the recorderdriving command, the transmitting of the control command comprises: atthe control device, creating a control command for driving a recorder ofthe help-requesting device; and at the control device, transmitting therecorder driving command to the help-requesting device through theserver.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the transmitting of theexecution result data comprises: at the help-requesting device,transmitting recorder driving result data to the control device throughthe server; and at the control device, outputting sound data included inthe recorder driving result data.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein ifthe control command comprises the camera driving command, thetransmitting of the control command comprises: at the control device,creating a control command for driving a camera of the help-requestingdevice; and at the control device, transmitting the camera drivingcommand to the help-requesting device through the server.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the transmitting of the execution result datacomprises: at the help-requesting device, transmitting camera drivingresult data to the control device through the server; and at the controldevice, outputting at least one of image data and video data included inthe camera driving result data.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thetransmitting of the help request message comprises, at the controldevice, an attempt to make a call with the help-requesting device, andwherein the acquiring of the authorization for a remote control isperformed when the control device fails to make a call several timesmore than preset call times.
 10. A system for a remote control betweenmobile devices, the system comprising: a server comprising a controlcommand list for controlling a help-requesting device, and forauthenticating a remote control authorization of a control device andfor relaying a data packet communication between the help-requestingdevice and the control device; the help-requesting device fortransmitting a help request message to the control device through theserver, for executing a control command received from the control devicethrough the server, and for transmitting execution result data to thecontrol device through the server; and the control device for acquiringthe authorization to remotely control the help-requesting device fromthe server, for transmitting the control command for controlling thehelp-requesting device to the help-requesting device through the server,and for outputting the execution result data received from thehelp-requesting device.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controlcommand is included in a Short Message Service (SMS) message.
 12. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the server receives a control device listfrom the help-requesting device, transmits a registration requestmessage to each device contained in the control device list, andregisters a device transmitting an approval message in response to theregistration request message as the control device.
 13. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the control command comprises at least one of arecorder driving command, a camera driving command, and a locationinformation acquisition command.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein ifthe control command comprises the recorder driving command, the controldevice creates a control command for driving a recorder of thehelp-requesting device and transmits the recorder driving command to thehelp-requesting device through the server.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the control device receives recorder driving result data fromthe help-requesting device and outputs sound data included in therecorder driving result data.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein if thecontrol command comprises the camera driving command, the control devicecreates a control command for driving a camera of the help-requestingdevice, and transmits the camera driving command to the help-requestingdevice through the server.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein thecontrol device receives camera driving result data from thehelp-requesting device and outputs at least one of image data and videodata included in the camera driving result data.
 18. The system of claim10, wherein the control device attempts to make a call with thehelp-requesting device and acquires the authorization for a remotecontrol when failing to make a call several times more than preset calltimes.